John's musical career started at the tender age of five when he first began playing the mandolin. Perhaps because it was his first, the mandolin became his best-loved instrument. John is a multi-instrumentalist (he says he plays everything but brass) who was formally educated at Berklee College of Music in Boston (Arranging & Composition) and received his degree in Music Theory from the University at Albany.
He began honing his performance skills with a number of ethno-centric groups (primarily Music of Ukrainian origin) until his Berklee days. In Boston he formed a rock/jazz fusion group named Go 90 which was met with much critical acclaim. Moving back into the Capital District he performed with Good News then the Warm Horizon. He also began performing as a soloist during this period. In Manhattan he performed regularly at Folk City as part of the Young Composers Concert Series. He then moved to Long Island. There he has performed with 2 + TWO where he played keyboards and sax while contributing his vocal abilities as well. He has also performed and recorded with theBlend, Howie and the Mean Dog (mandolin & vocals) and The Woody Mack Band (mandolin, keys, sax and vocals). His eclectic writing and playing styles are uniquely his own. Most recently, he has appeared as guest soloist with Sinclair Productions; String Breezes; Dorian Aire and regularly performs In South Jersey and in and around Bucks County, PA.
Besides teaching children in a Bucks County school, John also shares his musical skills with his ever-growing number of mandolin and guitar students. The teaching experience has also opened him up to performing at various events for children engaging them in the joy of experiencing live music.
SEPTEMBER 23 - 3:00-4:00 PM - PRIVATE PARTY - New Hope and Ivyland Rail Road SEPTEMBER 30 - 2:30 -3:30 PM - Lecture and Demonstration "Introducing the Mandolin Family" - MERCER COUNTY ITALIAN AMERICAN FESTIVAL - Hamilton, NJ OCTOBER 12 - 7:30 - 11:00 PM - 552 Restaurant - 552 Washington Crossing Road - Newtown, PA
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John on stage performing Vivaldi's Concerto in C Major for Mandolin and Orchestra
